Fizz up your bath

We all love our bath time. What if you could take it up a notch? Throw in a bath bomb and your bath will never be the same again. Hard and usually round, the magic happens only when you drop the chunk into the water. An explosion of fizz follows as the soap slowly disintegrates.

While the fizz is the fun element in bath bombs, the add-ons are, of course, the variety of shapes, colours and fragrances they come in. Be it a relaxing, petal-laden floral soak or an invigorating multi-layered explosion of colour and scent or even kid-friendly cartoon characters and superheroes foaming bubbles, there is a bath bomb for every bathing experience. And the organic sector is not short of natural alternatives to the product.

Bomb benefits

The key to a good organic bomb are the ingredients used to make them. Baking soda, top of the list, is an all-natural cleanser, with a range of benefits for the skin – from removing dead skin cells, neutralising pH imbalances in the skin to clearing up body acne and evening out skin tone.

Epson salts are the next wonder workers. The mineral eases muscle aches, relieves stress, soothes sunburns, replenishes moisture in the skin and relaxes the body. The magnesium in the salt reduces feelings of restlessness or anxiety and the combination with warm water helps the salt work on the muscle tension and inflammations in joints.

The game changer is the fizz, and that is where citric acid comes in. Immediate contact with water gets the baking soda and citric acid reacting to cause the bombs to fizz up. The acid is an organic agent that naturally occurs in citric acid fruits like lemons, oranges and grapes. It helps loosen damaged skin layers so young, smooth skin can replace it and the antioxidants found in the acid also help repair skin and strengthen blood vessels. Finally, the essential oil or fragrance work wonders in aromatherapy.

While there are plenty to choose from, both online and in retail stores across the country, what you need to look out for are the above natural ingredients and avoid those with chemicals and sulphates.

The essential oils and fragrances allow a variety of options to choose from when it comes to your bathing preferences. There are even herbal bath bombs for the traditional bathers while the adventurous can experiment from the flower-based, fruit-based or oil-based products in the organic inventory of choices. Bath bombs also make great gifts to loved ones and friends. There is even a range which lets you gift bombs with a ring or surprise gifts encased inside them.

DIY bath bomb

Make your own version of the bath bomb and if you have kids around, get them to pitch in as well.

Pre-prep

Bath bombs are easy and quick to make so make sure you have all the necessary ingredients at hand and measured before you start. Most of them are kitchen staples you will find at home.

What you need

Baking soda: 1 cup

Citric Acid: 1/2 cup

Sea salt or epsom salt: 1/2 cup

Corn starch: 3/4 cup

Liquid oil of your choice: 2 tablespoons

Water: 2 teaspoons (more if needed)

Vanilla extract: 1 teaspoon

Essential oils or powdered dried herbs: 30-40 drops

Moulds or cupcake tins

Method

Combine baking soda, salt, citric acid, and corn starch in a large bowl, mix well. In a small bowl, mix the oil, water and vanilla extract. Stir well. Add essential oils. Add the liquid portion to the dry portion a few drops at a time. Mix well with hands (wear gloves if you have sensitive skin). Finally, add the powdered dried herbs if using.

The mixture should hold itself together when squeezed without crumbling. Roll the mix into moulds or cupcake containers. Leave for at least 24 hours till it hardens. When dry, remove and store in air tight container or bag. Use within two weeks.

Where we offer Earth-friendly alternatives to everyday products